Sydney brilliant one week, mediocre the rest

Sydney FC’s 5-0 win over Melbourne Victory last week was surely one of the biggest shocks of the season. Even the most optimistic of Sydney fans wouldn’t have expected such a rout over their oldest rival, especially considering the match was played in Melbourne. With the catharsis of five unanswered goals and the confidence that comes from playing your opponents off the park, one might have been forgiven for expecting Sydney FC to back up this week against Melbourne’s other team. Things certainly started well for the visitors, with Heart midfielder Orlando Engelaar sent off in the first half and Andrew Redmayne gifting Corey Gameiro the opening goal after some spectacularly average goalkeeping in the first half.

But with just 10 men, Melbourne Heart came out after half-time like a bat out of hell, and Sydney FC goalkeeper Vedran Janjetovic proved that whatever Redmayne could do, he could do worse. His butter fingers just after the break allowedJonatan Germano to equalise, and Sydney were suddenly in dangerous territory. Unconvincing despite the man advantage, Sydney were eventually punished by David Williams, who stole the show in the dying moments as he ran half the length of the field, bamboozled two defenders and slid a shot into the bottom corner. It was a tremendous comeback from Melbourne Heart in front of their new mega-rich owners, and the stacks-on-Williams celebration showed that there is still plenty of life left in the A-League stragglers. Sydney, on the other hand, are still trying to prove they are more than just a one-hit wonder.

New Zealand ’Nix?

In a city dominated by rugby union, experiments with football in Auckland have generally ended in tears. Remember the Football Kingz? If you don’t, never mind Googling them - the less said about them the better. Most A-League fans will, however, remember the New Zealand Knights - that abysmal convalescent home for British journeymen footballers. They were the first A-League club to have their licence revoked in late 2006, and it couldn’t have happened to a more deserving bunch. Low crowds, poor football and a general lack of interest from the football community in Auckland made for some seriously depressing matches.

Wellington Phoenix have been back a couple of times to Auckland since the death of the Knights, and have drawn decent crowds on both occasions. The affection for the ’Nix, or at the very least for football, clearly extends beyond Wellington. It was encouraging to see 18,506 spectators pile into Eden Park - the spiritual home of rugby union in Auckland - to witness Wellington Phoenix defeat Adelaide United on Saturday night. The Phoenix haven’t been shy in travelling this season, taking games to Napier and Christchurch, and during the week the Phoenix general manager David Dome spoke of the importance of maintaining a commercial presence in the country’s largest city. But while their owner Gareth Morgan has previously sounded out an Auckland-based team to spark a local rivalry, it is surely too soon to consider a second Kiwi side. And if the travelling roadshow continues to bring in the crowds, perhaps the Phoenix will suffice as New Zealand’s sole A-League team?

Taggart back on the scoresheet

Of the 17 goals Newcastle Jets have scored so far this season, Adam Taggart has eight, a return which has seen him make the striker position his own. Most impressive, however, has been the manner in which he has scored the goals. Against Adelaide in Round 5 he began with a delightful flick over the keeper’s head, which was duly repeated against Brisbane a week later. Since then, the Young Socceroo has preferred to score from range, finishing several crackers from distance with both feet. In just three matches during November, Taggart had racked up six goals. Then all of a sudden he stopped scoring, and the goals dried up for Newcastle.

The Jets might have only managed a draw on Saturday night against the Western Sydney Wanderers, but Newcastle fans will be pleased to witness Taggart end his drought. His first was special - as the Jets broke through the middle of the park on 26 minutes, Wanderers defender-cum-holding midfielder Matthew Spiranovic broke up the play with a well timed challenge. A good 30 yards from goal, the ball spilled to Taggart. Ignoring the free man to his right, he took one look, and without taking a touch to steady himself, lashed the ball into the back of the net. The Wanderers should really have won it after goals on either side of half-time from Aaron Mooy and Michael Beauchamp, but it was Taggart who popped up to salvage a point, this time tapping in for the simplest of finishes at the death. What a strange feeling it must have been to score a scrappy goal. As nice as it is to only score pretty goals, in the end, they all count.

Central Coast do it tough... again

The transfer market is rarely kind to the Central Coast Mariners. Over the past few years it’s become something of a tradition for the Mariners to farewell their best and brightest players, often to the detriment of the squad as a cohesiveunit. Such are the realities of operating on a small budget in a salary-capped league - transfer fees have become a lifeblood in the business of running the club. This season has been no different, as Michael McGlinchey followed coach Graham Arnold to Japanese club Vegalta Sendai, while this weekend it was announced that Daniel McBreen and Trent Sainsbury would sign for Shanghai SIPG and PEC Zwolle respectively. As usual, both transfers are understandable - McBreen gets a chance at one last lucrative contract while Sainsbury makes the inevitable progression to European football. Both, of course, will be sorely missed. It certainly doesn't help, either, that Marcos Flores will be out injured for the season.

Fortunately for the Mariners, however, there are reinforcements waiting in Eddy Bosnar and Korean midfielder Kim Seung-yong. At 33, Bosnar comes home after more than a decade overseas, while Seung-yong arrives with decent pedigree having scored in an Asian Champions League final and with experience at some of the top clubs in South Korea. With the dearth of Asian players in the A-League, it might be worth keeping a close eye on Seung-yong. After Sunday evening's demoralising 2-1 loss to Brisbane Roar, the Mariners will certainly be hoping the newcomers fit in sooner rather than later.

Besart Berisha the difference

If anyone had any doubts over how focused Brisbane Roar striker Besart Berisha would be after it was announced that he would join Melbourne Victory next season, his display against the Central Coast Mariners should serve as a lesson. Brisbane fans will no doubt be disappointed their star striker decided to move south, especially considering his reasons. "I want really to win titles," said the Albanian striker. "I don't go for money." It's hardly convincing - winning titles has been Brisbane Roar's stock in trade for the past few years. In any event, Mike Mulvey and Berisha have been at pains to sideline the issue, and prove that he is still committed to winning games in Brisbane. His performance on Sunday evening wasn't vintage Berisha, but nonetheless he prowled between the defensive lines and tackled like a mongrel. His winner in the 90th minute completed a gutsy comeback from Brisbane, and puts them seven points clear at the top. Actions, as they say, speak louder than words. Berisha still has plenty to give for the Roar.